A-levels, the academic diplomas are mostly marked by schools, they are unlikely to inherit their predecessors' status as hard exam currency.

ECONOMIST: Qualifications

Too often, young adults go to college armed with high school diplomas evidence of preparation for the academic rigors of higher education but without the financial literacy necessary to responsibly handle financial independence.

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And three are mostly academic humanities, science and languages in a bid to tempt universities into taking diplomas seriously.

ECONOMIST: Education reform: Must try harder | The